Difficult race for HRT, steering problem for Karthikeyan

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was intense for HRT Formula 1 Team who saw how Pedro de la Rosa had a tyre blanket tangled up before the formation lap and had to start the race from the pit lane, eventually finishing 16th. Narain Karthikeyan failed to finish after a problem with the power steering on his car.

Karthikeyan's issue triggered a spectacular accident with Nico Rosberg who was approaching to overtake when the problem occurred. The accident was spectacular but fortunately both drivers were unharmed.

The Championship takes a breather and returns to action in two weeks for the penultimate event of the season, the United States Grand Prix which returns to the calendar this year and will take place in Austin, Texas from the 16th to the 18th of November.

Pedro de la Rosa, F112-02, #22, 16th:
"I’m happy to have finished the race and because I gave it everything. But today we were unable to stay on the same level as our rivals. We had a problem at the start when a thread on one of the blankets for the rear tyres got tangled up and I had to start from the pit lane with very cold tyres. But during the race the car went well, the tyres held out perfectly on one stop and we controlled the temperature of the brakes and engine. But we need a couple of tenths to be up there and I hope we can take that step in the upcoming races. It won’t be through a lack of effort or work”.

Narain Karthikeyan, F112-01 #23, DNF:
"Today we didn’t have enough pace so I focused on setting consistent lap times and trying to get the most out of the car. But on lap 9 we had a problem with the hydraulic pressure and steering of the car went rock solid, so I had to lift my foot off the accelerator. Unfortunately, Rosberg was coming from behind and couldn’t avoid me. It was tremendously unlucky but we have to leave it in the past and think about the United States Grand Prix in two weeks”.

Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal:
"I would have liked for both cars to finish but an unfortunate mechanical failure meant that Narain lost his steering in the worst moment and he suffered an accident with Rosberg. Luckily both of them are well and we didn’t have to regret anything greater. Pedro completed a good race and was able to finish after not doing so in two consecutive races. Now we have to look ahead and be ready to take on the last two races to finish in the best way possible”.